Your PiYo package from Beachbody will come with the following products:

• Quick Start Guide – contains a quick introduction to the PiYo workout and nutrition plan, a brief summary of the 9 workouts, along with  7 steps to successfully complete the PiYo program.
• Get Lean Eating Guide – a 22 page booklet that guides you through the process of calculating the amount of calories you’ll need for the 60-day program, instructions on how to take measurements, and lists of best foods from each of Beachbody’s six food groupings.
• Measuring tape – instructions on how to take your before measurements and photos are included in the booklet and accompanying pamphlets.
• detailed workout calendar – contains each workout and every rest day for the 8 week PiYo program to help you get the best results.
• 3 DVDs with 9 PiYo training workouts and bonus TurboFire Low HIIT 20.
• 1 bonus DVD “Hardcore on the Floor.”

The beauty of PiYo is the unique movements and exercises that strengthen your muscles, which has the added benefit of increasing your flexibility. As you age, you’ll find your flexibility naturally decreases. This is one reason the older we get, the greater our chance of injuring ourselves.

PiYo gives you a full body workout that will make you sweat, but without the impact of running. It has the flexibility of yoga without requiring you to hold slow, boring positions. However, it is not for anyone with a history of spine or joint conditions. If you have a health condition, see your doctor before attempting this or any other new exercise program.

Since the movements are all bodyweight exercises, you will not need any gym equipment for the PiYo workout.

However, you will need a chair for some exercises in one of the workout videos and also to help you with balance and any exercise modifications you might need to make. No special chair is necessary, just one that is sturdy.

According to the 2 month PiYo calendar you receive with your DVD package, you will be performing one workout a day, six days a week.

There is no specific time of day that the workouts need to be done, so you will be able to choose when you want to exercise.

Although your rest day is scheduled to fall on the exact same day each week, you should be able to make it fit into your schedule. The other six workouts for the week have been strategically arranged to help you gradually improve your strength and fitness levels, so stick with the overall order even if you can’t train exactly as outlined.

In your PiYo package from Beachbody, you will receive a booklet called the “Get Lean Eating Plan.” It is the same as the one you get with most other Beachbody programs.

It  provides you with a balanced diet that is meant to be enjoyable and delicious. You will be able to eat a variety of foods that you enjoy. The diet is meant to help you build lean muscle and burn calories, while supplying you with plenty of nourishing foods in the form of tasty snacks and meals.

If you’re super busy and often on the go, the guide also teaches you how to eat in a simple, convenient way. Best of all, there are no complex recipes or strange food combinations.

The Get Lean Eating Plan guides you through the simple three step process that will help you choose the one that will work best for you.

Step 1 – You’ll calculate your calorie target for weight loss. In order to lose weight, you’ll need to be in a calorie deficit, but at the same time you don’t want to undereat. The people at Beachbody have plenty of experience with helping people lose weight without depriving them of the nutrients they need.

Step 2 – Based on the amount of calories that you’ve calculated for yourself, you’ll pick the nutritional plan that matches your caloric intake. Beachbody has included 4 plans each with different calorie ranges.

Each plan gives you a recommended number of servings for the 6 food groups they’ve identified:

1. primary vegetables
2. secondary vegetables (specifically, starchy vegetables) and grains such as whole grain breads, pastas, brown rice, lentils, cereals
3. fresh fruit
4. lean proteins which include vegetarian options such as tempeh, tofu, protein powder, eggs, dairy and soy milk
5. healthy fats such as nuts, oils and cheese
6. a free foods list which includes seasonings, condiments, and beverages.

Each plan works out to about 40% carbs, 35% protein and 25% fat, but there is no need to count calories or macronutrients! Just follow the serving sizes, do the workouts and your body will gradually change.

Step 3 – The easiest part! Choose the foods you want to eat from the food lists provided. Each list also includes an example of what one serving size looks like.

If you end up losing weight, along with inches of fat, you can recalculate your calorie needs and use that to determine how many serving sizes you should eat to maintain your lower weight.

There are so many happy users who absolutely love the PiYo workouts that Chalene Johnson has created. The workouts are fun, yet have just the right amount of challenge. You are constantly moving and have the bonus of Chalene chatting in your ear, encouraging you as you downdog and lunge, and she hardly breaks a sweat as she does it.

No wonder Chalene Johnson is a celebrity in her own right! She knows what people like and she also knows how to make a program that delivers amazing results. She has over a million followers on Facebook and about half a million on Instagram. 

You’ll find plenty of inspiration and motivation on Instagram  and Facebook. You can follow @piyoworkout on Instagram or better yet, use the hashtag #piyo and #piyoresults to find the raving testimonials of thousand of fellow PiYo users.

Here are some of the most common phrases you’ll hear from PiYo users:

• I lost weight and maintained it.
• PiYo burns an insane amount of calories and gets me sweating.
• I like the movements with the faster pace.
• I feel more confident and assured.

Also, many users find that time passes so quickly when they’re doing a PiYo workout, they almost feel like the workouts are too short!

Most people end up incorporating their PiYo workouts into what they already do, whether it’s another Beachbody plan, another training program, or as cross training for runners. They love the flexibility benefits of the program and the style of the workout.

With PiYo and Beachbody both being well known names in the fitness world, it is no wonder that it has received a lot of reviews. If you search the internet, you’ll see that PiYo has mainly positive reviews, with a few cons thrown into the mix to keep it humble.

Chalene Johnson became a fitness instructor after she graduated college as a paralegal. She gradually learned how to lead group fitness classes and her website states that she currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most fitness videos. Even though it appears she is not a certified trainer, her experience and knowledge are more extensive than most fitness training certifications you could take today.

People like Chalene. They like her teaching style and her genuinely cheerful personality. Users of PiYo appreciate her encouraging manner as she coaches you through the movements and workouts.

As for PiYo itself, almost everyone that has completed the program has achieved measurable results. People looking for a low impact workout program and those who have previously done one of Chalene’s or a Beachbody program are often the ones happiest with PiYo.

Some of the people that did not like it said it was too easy and mainly for beginners; they didn’t like the music; and not all of the workouts were completely balanced. For example, she tends to favor the right side and forgets to do the same amount of work on the left.

Beachbody introduced PiYo in 2014 and in less than three years, PiYo workouts have changed thousands of people’s lives. No other kind of workout can give you the same type of flexibility and strength benefits in a non-impact format that also provides such amazing transformations in only 2 months.

Although it is not implicitly stated in the workout descriptions, there is a gradual progression in the nine DVD workouts. Carefully follow the workout calendar Chalene has written, instead of picking out whichever DVD you think is best for you. After you have worked your way through all of them, and graduated from the 60 day program, you will be able to pick and choose which one to do.

Although there are no specific phases or beginner workouts identified, the video workouts do increase in difficulty. Follow the PiYo workout calendar carefully and use the modifications suggested until you can complete the exercises as prescribed.

The PiYo workout calendar will tell you exactly which one you need to do on each day of the 8 week plan. The first three workouts are essentially the first phase of the PiYo program.

The first workout is called “Align: The Fundamentals.” Align is a 40 minute teaching video that instructs you on proper posture and guides you through the safest and best form for the most important PiYo movements.

The second workout is called “Define: Lower Body.” As the name implies, it focuses mainly on lower body moves. The purpose of this lower body targeted workout is to gradually increase your flexibility and strengthen your legs in preparation for the more challenging workouts to come.

Next is “Define: Upper Body.” Once again, you will be learning the most common upper body PiYo moves and combinations which will help you strengthen your upper body and core while focusing on safe form.

Then you’ll have the chance to put it all together in the fourth workout called, “Sweat.” This 35 minute training session will give you a full body workout, complete with fast paced yoga flows and bodyweight resistance exercises that include push ups and lunges.

Then you move back to a slower paced workout that focuses more on strengthening your upper body muscle groups. Workout number four is “Core” and in it, you will go through a variety of standing, on the floor, and seated core and back exercises that will challenge people of every fitness level.

The “Buns” workout  focuses on the legs and glutes. This workout will help you lift and tighten your backside while also giving you a gentle cardio workout through a combination of bodyweight strength exercises like lunges interspersed with bodyweight cardio moves such as burpees. This workout is done partly standing and on the floor.

If you’re looking for a high intensity interval training workout, you’ll like “Strength Intervals.” It gives you 25 minutes of bodyweight strength movements in between low impact cardio intervals such as running on the spot. There are also beginner, no impact modifications demonstrated.

You can’t get anymore PiYo than “Drench.”  This 45 minute video will challenge your endurance, core, legs, upper body strength, and flexibility with no shoes required.

“Sculpt” is a 30 minute workout complete with no impact bodyweight stretch and resistance movements that you can do without shoes on. You’ll need a chair for the last part of the strength exercises.

Lastly, you’ll get 35 minutes of full body, core-focused work, with next to no standing up. With “Hardcore on the Floor” you’ll be burning fat and sculpting your muscles, not merely lying on the floor.

After you’ve completed the full 8 week program as outlined in the training calendar, you’ll have the strength and ability to choose whichever workout you want.

This is a great type of workout to add to your exercise repertoire. No matter what you do for exercise, everyone can benefit from the benefits you’ll get from doing regular PiYo workouts.

As a 60 day plan, it is a great way for beginners to get into an exercise routine. PiYo workouts are no to very low impact, yet you get the benefits of  cardio without the damaging effects on your joints. The workouts are relatively short. and with Chalene’s excellent guidance, you’ll learn how to properly and safely move your body so you’ll get stronger, increase flexibility, reduce your chance of injury, improve balance, and burn fat!

The things we like about the PiYo workouts are that they can help you establish a fitness routine if you are new to working out. The workouts are great for most beginners and those with joint injuries caused by high impact exercise. However, they may be not a great choice for those with wrist problems. If you’re over 40 or have a chronic condition, always see your doctor before beginning a new workout program.

PiYo workouts are unique in that they combine flexibility with balance and strength. The workouts are enjoyable and the time passes by so quickly, you’ll be surprised when your DVD session is over! Fortunately, you can combine workouts if you’d like, to get the length you want.

One of our favorite things about Beachbody plans is the option to use their free coaching program. Where else do you get one on one support from someone just like you who has been where you are and made it through a program?

PiYo is a great workout for people of all ages and abilities, and it is especially appealing to folks that find traditional yoga or pilates boring. We can assure you that you will not be standing still or holding poses endlessly with PiYo.

If you’re a beginner new to regular exercise, looking to add variety to your workout routine, need to improve balance and flexibility, or if you need to take time away from traditional high impact exercises, you can’t go wrong with PiYo. Backed by Beachbody and Chalene’s successful track record in creating fun, innovative, and results driven workout programs, PiYo is for you!